PlainPermit

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Los Angeles, CA?

Short answer: It depends on the details for a retaining wall in Los Angeles, CA.

Last verified: · Confidence: medium · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: medium

Some retaining walls are exempt under LAMC 91.101.5 item 4; others need a permit. We did not capture the exact height limit, so check with LADBS.

Note: Height limit is in LAMC 91.101.5, which we did not quote.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see the LADBS fee schedule. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step

Where to apply

LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS): Express Permits online or by appointment

Permitting authority: City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Applies inside the City of Los Angeles only (not other cities or unincorporated LA County). Zoning sets fence heights separately from the building code. Fire hazard zones and hillside areas add rules. See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“17. Retaining walls in accordance with LAMC 91.101.5 item 4.”

Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-172464

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: medium

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Other projects in Los Angeles

Retaining wall permits elsewhere in California

Retaining wall permits in other cities

Compare retaining wall permit rules in all 25 cities · All California cities